Last week, Representative Veronica Escobar (D-TX) introduced a bill to create new requirements for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) before building new immigration detention facilities.
The DHS Community Consultation Act of 2026 would require DHS to consult with local governments, public health officials and community stakeholders to assess the local impacts of proposed immigration detention facilities. The bill would also mandate public meetings and comment periods for community members to ask questions or raise concerns.
“It’s far too easy for the federal government to create chaos and confusion and leave communities in the dark,” Rep. Escobar said.
Over the last few months, Rep. Escobar has highlighted several cases of warehouses in El Paso being used to hold detainees. From speaking to constituents, she has cited poor living conditions, inadequate medical care and operational deficiencies.
Rep. Escobar has questioned several federal immigration officials on this issue, including DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who agreed that these warehouses should not be used to hold detainees.
“Socorro and the greater El Paso region — along with other communities across the country — learned about DHS’s secretive plans to utilize warehouses to detain people only once it was too late,” Rep. Escobar said.
Rep. Escobar said this lack of transparency was a major motivation in drafting her bill. El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez added that the county has had to engage in litigation to gain “basic information” on these warehouse projects.
“These actions underscore the importance of open dialogue and careful consideration when addressing the challenges presented by the development of mega detention facilities,” Sanchez said. “The proposed DHS Community Consultation Act aims to empower communities by granting them a meaningful role in the decision-making process.”
Sanchez stressed that these warehouses and poor detention facility conditions are not isolated to El Paso, but are part of bringing attention to a broader national issue.
“El Paso County has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about local concerns and advocating for greater transparency in the construction of large-scale detention facilities,” Sanchez said.
